9. SEATTLE: Robinson Cano, $240-million man, is ninth in HRs — on this team. He has two, same as tiny Astro Jose Altuve. (18) 10. WASHINGTON: Now in LF: 3B Ryan Zimmerman. Denard Span could be pushed out once Bryce Harper returns. (19)

10. WASHINGTON: Now in LF: former All-Star 3B Ryan Zimmerman. If Bryce Harper returns in CF and Jayson Werth stays in RF, Leadoff man Denard Span could be pushed out once Bryce Harper returns. (19)

11. N.Y. YANKEES: Masahiro Tanaka: 9-1 with a 2.02 ERA. All other Yankees starters: 14-16 with a 4.43 ERA. (10)

12. BALTIMORE: OF Nelson Cruz may go from Biogenesis suspension in ’13 to All-Star starter. How thrilled is Bud Selig? (16)

13. ST. LOUIS: Biogenesis alum Jhonny Peralta is batting .225 but leads team with 9 HR. Cardinals last in NL with 32 HR. (8)

It is a slur, a slam, a label that carries the air of disparagement. When the Cooperstown debates flare anew each winter, candidates who do not measure up in the eye of the beholder are dismissed with these words: "It is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good."

The playoff picture became clearer in the East on Monday when the Tampa Bay Lightning clinched a postseason berth, but it grew more muddled in the West when the Kings lost to the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary and Vancouver won their respective games.